Can U.S. Disaster Aid Weaken the Taliban in Pakistan?

Introduction

Anjum Naveed/Associated Press Unloading aid from a U.S. helicopter in Kalam, Pakistan, on Aug. 17.

The devastating floods in Pakistan have now spread to the south of the country. Nearly five million people have been displaced by the worst flooding ever recorded in that country and more than 20 million people have been affected. The international community, including the United States, has made pledges of more than $800 million to help flood victims. But it's not clear that amount is sufficient, or that the worst is over.

Will providing more humanitarian aid help reduce extremist influences in Pakistan? Is it changing public opinion toward the U.S.? Or is it more likely that groups like the Taliban will be able to capitalize on the chaos created by the disaster?